Ardglass in total
control as the sweep Dundrum aside
ACFL Div 3: Ardglass 3-15 Dundrum 1-06
By
Marc Mac Siomoin [marc_mac_siomoin@yahoo.co.uk]
Fortress Ardtole maintained it's seige
mentality as Dundrum failed to escape
the windy coastal venue with an inch
of self respect after this harrowing
defeat just before the holidays.
This was a game that mainly provided
eye candy for the home support. Ardglass
were always in control and with Chris
Deegans at the forefront of every attack,
there wasn't much room for error. The
enigmatic midfield general was in fine
form, dictating play at his own will.
His brother and midfield partner Stephen
was just as electric. A polished performance
from him is always expected by the Ardglass
faithful nowadays.
The Ardglass unit oozes class. The stingy
full back line of the Laird brothers
and Johnny Connor is always ready and
alert and is kept on it's toes by the
fine shot stopper that is Richie Fitzpatrick.
Aaron Beattie is a tremendous defender
at centre half back, always assured
and confident on the ball.
The forward line revolves around 15
year old prodigy Michael Magee. At 6ft
the rangy attacker has it all, pace,
skill and most importantly the finishing
touch. Chris Taggart is also another
mobile attacker and is always reliable
from set peices. Add to this young guns
Mullan, Gill and Dorrian and Darragh
Cross' sole conquerers this season look
to be a fine prospect.
Their commanding ten point lead at half
time never ever looked like being lost.
Some tremendous scores from Taggart,
Magee and Curran and a well taken goal
sent the Ardtole lads in at the break
briming with confidence. Dundrum banked
four early points, McMullan, Venney,
Walsh and McComiskey the scoregetters.
Two decisive goals early in the second
game sent Ardglass delirious. It only
served as more embarassment for the
Duns. Ardglass were playing the fancy
stuff now. Attempting scores from tight
angles and trying passes out that would
never pull off in the pressure cooker
environment of a tight competitive game.
Late consolations arrived for the away
side through McMullan and Walsh. 16
year old Paul McComiskey rounded off
his starting debut with an excellent
goal after some good ball winning work
from Geroid Graham.
This game sums up both team's seasons.
Ardglass are a team on the up and along
with Darragh Cross, Clann na Banna and
Carryduff they should be challenging
for promotion at the year's end.
It's hard to extract positives from
Dundrum's endeavours. The phasing out
of the old guard and the emergence of
the new youth has come at a bad time,
right in the middle of the campaign.
The battle for survival is being lost
and doesn't look like being won.
Dundrum: C.King, N.McComiskey, C.McKibbin,
J.Hurley, M.Melville, C.Carey, M.Murray,
A.Doyle, K.Walsh (0-02), P.McComiskey
(1-01), J.McMullan (0-02), J.McKibben,
C.Venney (0-01), C.Kielty, C.McShane.
Subs: M.Fitzsimons, G.Graham, M.Rooney
and M.McKibbin.
